Jan. 12, 2014
For Immediate Release

By Linda Waggener, marketing and media relations coordinator

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. -Young men and women ages 17 to 35 who need help paying for college education are invited to ask for details about how serving one weekend a month in the National Guard makes it possible.

Campbellsville University admissions and financial aid counselors at the main campus, online and regional centers attended an informational meeting with Sgt. Dallas Robinson, RRNCO in the Kentucky National Guard, to learn how to answer student questions about military assistance with the cost of college.

Robinson said as a Yellow Ribbon School, CU and the Guard have a partnership that allows education for those who qualify to be paid for, in part, or for some in total, by the Guard. He said education, monthly income, health care and retirement are all benefits of serving in the Guard.

Campbellsville University is about helping students find their calling and is making news for being rated among the top schools in America whose graduates have the lowest amount of student debt. Admissions and financial aid counselors make every effort to have answers ready to help students qualify for help in paying for their education.

“What are the main requirements for students who join the National Guard?” was a key question on admissions counselor Lindsey Hammers' mind, noting the fine print details required in any system.

“Show up,” Robinson said. “Members of the Guard commit to showing up for drill one weekend a month for six years; you simply cannot miss Guard training.” The weekend drill is not an overnight stay, but both days are required.

Admissions counselors from Campbellsville University learn how to answer student questions about financial help with the cost of college if they are interested in also serving in the military. From left are: Josh Fuqua, Trevor McWhorter, Lindsey Hammers and Lauren Willis. (Campbellsville University Photo by Linda Waggener)

Benefits begin immediately after basic training is completed and the length of time for basic training depends on the student's choice of career path - the more high level the job field selected, the more basic training may be required but it is coordinated with school so that credit is received from both.

Robinson, who was recently hired as track and field coach at CU, said, “this partnership takes CU from simply being ‘military friendly' to being directly in sync with the Veterans Administration offices and benefits for people who serve.” He recalled asking himself the questions what he wanted to be and how to get there and is excited to share all the benefits the Guard has given him. He has been a member of the National Guard for four years and said it's one of the best decisions he ever made. He said the Guard gives significantly more money for college than any other branch of service.

Before exploring, a student and his or her family must answer the question of whether military service is something they should consider since there is always the potential for deployment. After that, the only questions are: what career area are you interested in, what are you good at, and what is the opportunity with the Guard?” Robinson said these are the three questions he asks potential students/Guard members once they make contact.
There are 150 job areas from which to choose. He pointed out many programs at CU which “fit exactly with job areas in the Guard,” and he is working with CU counselors on guiding students interested in service to select their area of career interest.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.